The embodiment of French ‘joie de vivre’, the Dunkirk carnival is the highest-point of the calendar for the locals (or Dunkerquois as they are known).
Don’t picture carnival-floats idly inching their way through the crowds: this is an event where the crowd itself becomes the festival, with everyone joining in the high-spirited party atmosphere. Highlights of the festival’s epic January to March duration (yes, you read that right) include the mayoral tradition of throwing herrings from the town hall’s balcony, the huge ‘bals’ or parties that take place all over the local area (dancing crowds of colourfully costumed revellers) and the ‘bandes’, the famous musical processions, each one taking place on a different day in a different district in the run-up to Ash Wednesday.
For more information, get in touch with the tourist board information of Dunkirk
Le Beffroi, Rue de l'Amiral Ronarc'h,
F-59140 Dunkerque
Tel: +33 3 28 66 79 21
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